Vivarium Renovation

Guidon staff led the renovation of existing research space into a modern, state-of-the-art animal research lab to attract and sustain research grants. The project consolidated all operations of the third and fourth research floors into the renovated fourth floor. Temporary facilities were required to ensure minimal disruption to daily activities during construction.

Design components of the project included an acoustically engineered vivarium, necropsy rooms, behavioral study room, physical security and site investigation. All lab spaces were designed to meet ABSL-2 criteria.

Lab spaces were designed with flexibility at the forefront. Laboratory benching systems are movable throughout the lab, and the ceiling infrastructure supports changing facility needs and potential future equipment upgrades. Staff can transition seamlessly from one area to the other with no change in quality of equipment, environment, or other resources.

Special considerations included acoustically engineering for sensitivity of animals, sanitation and care of animal health, and separation from the surrounding active healthcare building and its clients.

Our team’s experience in technically complex research environments provided the foundation to approach evidence-based solutions holistically for this project while achieving the client’s project goals.